Sentinel Model 10 Tape Recorder and Lafayette PK605 Record Changer.wmv

[wingnut049]

I bought the exact same record changer for my 13th birthday in 1962 with a Lafayette amplifier and speakers. Haven't seen one since. Incredibie.

[stratocat9999]

@wingnut049 Cheers! All of the old lower end stuff from Lafayette and Allied is getting hard to find. I searched eBay for 10 years before this one turned up! I'm gonna bet you had a nice little tube amp with yours. :) Again, Cheers!

[NR23derek]

The tape runs the wrong way - right to left! I assume it record/plays on the lower track as a result?

[stratocat9999]

@NR23derek No, it records and plays on the upper first. Most early consumer recorders ran from right -to-left. Weird design, yes, but uncommon? No. Most early Pentron recorders and others also ran right-to-left too. Even the last generation version of this recorder, with solid state electronics, also threaded this way. The last version was made for Sears Silvertone by Crecsent, and was set up for sync to a slide projector. All plastic and modernized, but the same transport.

[force311999]

you could try a better cart. in the changer it almost sounds like it is to loud for it input try a shire cart. and if there is hum then ground the turntable to the frame of the tape deck and it will sound great

is the recorder dc bias?

[stratocat9999]

@force311999 Part of the reason to get this was to have it as the original. I have a lot of great carts, and low end Shure's, but I wanted to leave the original ceramic in it. The output is not that high except on the Sentinel, and it sounds much better in person. Actually, it sounds surprisingly good through my stereo system, except for the excessive hum. Grounding hasn't helped. It doesn't hum on the Sentinel. I think it's AC bias, but wouldn't swear on it. I need to get the Sams on it.

[force311999]

@stratocat9999 is the input for i microphone if so you need to cut down the output of the cart as it may be clipping.

you can try using a small amp and adjust the level can you monitor recording if you use earphones like on most recorders?????

[stratocat9999]

@force311999 No, the input is the Radio/Phono input, which is to say that it is line level. It's designed for high output phono cartridges and such.Like I said, it sounds better in person. Also, those old 45's are pretty heavily modulated, and don't sound all that good on my SP15 either. The level is monitored via a neon lamp. It does not feed through signal when recording. Branded Sentinel, it's actually made by Crescent, and was badged as many brands (Sears for one) from 1950 until 1963 or so.

[force311999]

It is so cool to get back the stereo equipment that you had as a kid

my first R to R was a old tube GE mono that I used to death

in the end I had 3 sony TC series ones and one I made rack mount case for.

sold them off ten years ago

you have the original one in the garage for parts?

can you get a head for it or is the rest of the deck worn out.

[recordchangerqueen]

That record changer does it for me friend. I love big clunky playing arms that are so jukeboxy, I have always been disapointed that the UK didn't take up the US format for 45's. I now collect US and continental 45's and have a dual that can change them. Your choice of music is really good. Sunshine superman was the first 45 I bought for myself, I think I bought deadend street by the Kinks at the same time and I was crazy for the monkees. Thanks for show.........

[stratocat9999]

@recordchangerqueen Thanks! The records are the ones I bought when they were new releases, so it just made sense to play the records I had at the time I had my original changer. I think my first rock n roll record purchase was A Hard Day's Night, and I still have that one too. There are a few more changers I'd like to find, but space is at a premium right now.

Just so you know, British 45's were always considered superior on this side of the pond. Very hard to find in the 60's, Cheers!

[Vinylrecordsneverdie]

That's really cool setup! It's always nice to find something from your past. I'm currently hunting down an early 70s Sanyo portable mono cassette/radio. It was the very 1st cassette recorder I ever used since I was 3.

[stratocat9999]

@Vinylrecordsneverdie Thanks! Your best bet is to start some saved searches in eBay in both Home Audio and Vintage Electronics. That's how I found these. Also check under Collectibles under Radio, Telephone, Television, Phonograph (it's just one category), as sometimes 70's vintage goodies turn up there too. That's how I found my Mayfair 713 cassette recorder (I am still looking for the 714 which is the one I had). Cheers!

[dewey70]

Great set! Never seen a changer like that one.

[stratocat9999]

@dewey70 Thanks! I was informed that this changer was actually built by Admiral for Lafayette. I think it retailed in 1960 for 19.95. I watched out for this changer for nearly 10 years on eBay. This is the first and last one I had seen listed, and it was near mint. I couldn't have asked for a better example.

[stratocat9999]

@dewey70 It's an oldie for sure! I just confirmed that it was actually manufactured by Admiral for Lafayette. Believe it or not, it looked pretty futuristic in 1960.

[chompo7]

i think its like that for all of us,to find all the stuff we had as kids or always wanted.

i know i do that.i had a ton of things given to me that i was too dumb to respect and

care for.i wish i knew then what i know now!

[stratocat9999]

@chompo7 I know what you mean. I was originally hunting for the Sears Silvertone table top console that my grandfather had mounted the Lafayette turntable into. The last one I saw posted on eBay went for about 600.00! it was mint, and I guess now it's highly collectable!. I was surprised to find the turntable in such nice shape. The Lafayette table set me back about 100.00 as did the Sentinel. Nostalgia can be pricey!

[force311999]

@stratocat9999 I got over 400 into my silvertone tabletop that I restored and got thumbed down for the BSR but that was how I had it in 1980 so why not the same plus I added FM and stereo side speaker to it as well

over 100 just for the speaker but will never find another one that would match you must have had the Silvertone Syntronic that has the speakers on the sides with the turntable in the middle

[stratocat9999]

@force311999 My original Silvertone had the Lafayette table installed shortly after the Sintronic bit the schnitzel. My grandfather put the together for me when I was 6. Just finding the Lafayette changer was a major find, and in such excellent condition! As I mentioned in the video, I'm building a plinth for it unless i can find an old generic base. I think a dual base would work well, just altering the mounting board would be needed.

[force311999]

@chompo7 same hear

[clydesight]

Very interesting video!

The tape runs in reverse of normal and no lifters! That is old technology for sure.

I remember those Lafayette turntables!

Your hookup is similar to what I did as a kid, only I had an amp and tapped the output to feed various tape recorders. I agree, these things are really for nostalgia and playing around, not HI Fi. But at the time, this type of thing was all there was for making home recordings.

[stratocat9999]

@clydesight You know, I think I had more fun as a kid jury-rigging all this old stuff to make music. My next video will be my Allied TD1030 as soon as I get the idlers resolved. I got one of these in November 1967 when I was 13. I bought four of them on eBay to get one working example (lot's of spare parts at least). I used the Sentinel for my left channel, and My small Harmony guitar amp for the right, and various amp and speaker combos there after.

[clydesight]

@stratocat9999

I assume there will be a video about the Allied TD1030 coming? FOUR of them to make one working machine? Gosh, the quality of stuff on E-Bay is going from bad to worse! I've given up on E-Bay for now. I have almost all the machines I ever hungered after when I was a kid.

[stratocat9999]

@clydesight Most of the ones I found were lightly used, and must've been in a closet all these years. One was mint, but electronically dead, two were alive, but make motor boat noises when shifted to 3 3/4 (I think this is a mis-aligned leaf switch) and the one with good electronics needed much mechanical work.

This also allowed me to cherry pick the minty-est looking external parts, and I've got spare head assemblies...the final unit should still be working when they plant me!

[force311999]

@stratocat9999 when I was 13 I made my one stereo out of a car radio and battery charger and upgraded it over and over then gave it to a friend when I moved away I made a reproduction of it

but my wood working skills are better now

[stratocat9999]

@force311999 I messed around with car radios and later stereos when I was in my mid teens. I used to run them off of a Lionel transformer. Halcyon days of many raw speakers scattered helter skelter, patched up patch cables, the smell of ozone, and all of the outlets in my room blackened from my power cables that had no insulation, (and no available electric tape most days), and my grandmother screaming that I'd burn the house down, and"Turn That Crap Down!".Happy days! Cheers!

[force311999]

@stratocat9999 yes raw speakers ripped from everything that was thrown out all over town

[stratocat9999]

@force311999 What, were you followin' me...:)